Massachusetts voters in 2016 legalized marijuana for use by adults. The parts of the law allowing for possession and home-cultivation went into effect later that year. The legislature voted to delay the start of retail sales until July 2018.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has approved 105 pages of proposed regulations for the burgeoning marijuana industry. Chairman Stephen Hoffman said the rules reflect the will of the voters.

" That it be broadly accessible, that it will be secure, it will be safe," said Hoffman.

Final state regulations are due in mid-March and applications for state licenses to sell marijuana are to be available on April 1st.

Dromey said without a moratorium there won’t be much time to address complex issues involving zoning and permitting for the new marijuana establishments.

" Our goal is to get the regulations done as quickly as we can once those state regulations are finalized," said Dromey.

Last year, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission recommended cities and towns put a temporary hold on marijuana stores until the state regulations are finalized, and many municipalities have followed the advice.

After a moratorium, the Springfield City Council four years ago put zoning and special permit requirements in place for medical marijuana dispensaries.

One medical marijuana business has been approved to operate in an industrial area in the city, but it has not yet opened.

A bill to overhaul the voter-approved marijuana law in Massachusetts is on Governor Charlie Baker’s desk. With his expected signature, the clock will start ticking toward legal retail marijuana sales in Massachusetts beginning in less than one year.